Michael Smith’s Portal Journey Ends at Ole Miss, Not Syracuse - What Happened and What It Means for the Orange
Michael Smith’s transfer saga took a few turns before it came to a close - and not in the way Syracuse fans were hoping.
The former South Carolina tight end initially committed to Syracuse through the transfer portal, a move that had the potential to bring a dynamic piece to the Orange offense. But as the portal dust started to settle, Smith pivoted.
He ended up signing with Ole Miss, joining a Rebels program that just wrapped up a College Football Playoff run, falling to Miami in the national semifinal. He wasn’t the only one making that move - wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr., another Syracuse commit, also landed in Oxford.
So what happened?
Syracuse head coach Fran Brown addressed the situation this week on ‘Cuse Sports Talk, offering some clarity. According to Brown, there’s no bad blood - in fact, he emphasized that he has a solid relationship with the Ole Miss coaching staff and wished Smith well, saying the tight end is “where he needs to be.”
Smith’s college career so far has been a bit of a rollercoaster. As a freshman at South Carolina, he showed flashes - 10 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.
But his sophomore campaign was quiet, logging just two receptions for 20 yards before exiting the program in October. His mid-season departure opened the door to the portal, and for a time, it looked like he’d be a key addition in Orange.
The hope was that Smith could bring some versatility to Syracuse’s passing attack - a position group that needed a bit of a jolt. But even without him, the Orange have been busy reloading their offensive arsenal through the portal.
Who Syracuse Did Land in the Portal
While Smith and Gill slipped away, Syracuse’s transfer class is still shaping up to be one of the more intriguing in recent memory. The Orange have brought in a mix of Power Five talent and Group of Five standouts, including:
- Ahmad Miller, RB (Jackson State)
- Ju’Juan Johnson, RB (LSU)
- Cole Weaver, WR (Miami of Ohio)
- Elijah Moore, WR (Florida State)
- Matthew Outten, WR (Penn State)
- Malachi Nelson, QB (UTEP)
- Amari Odom, QB (Kennesaw State)
- Danny Lauter, QB (Georgetown)
That’s a lot of new faces in the quarterback room alone, and it signals a clear push to reshape the offense from the ground up.
On defense, the Orange have added:
- Jartavius Flounoy, DT (Georgia State)
- Chris D’Appolonia, LB (Toledo)
- Keyshawn Johnson, Edge (UT-Martin)
- Dillan Fontus, DL (Maryland)
- Tunmise Adeleye, DE (UNLV)
- Nazir Ward, DB (Western Kentucky)
- Jai Eugene, DB (Western Kentucky)
- Amare Snowden, DB (Toledo)
- Oluwafunto Akinshilo, OL (UCLA)
It’s a wide-ranging haul that touches nearly every position group, and while not every player will be an immediate contributor, the sheer volume of additions gives the coaching staff options - and competition - across the board.
Looking Ahead
Losing a player like Smith isn’t ideal, especially when he was seen as a potential difference-maker in the passing game. But Syracuse isn’t walking into next season empty-handed. The portal has been kind to them overall, and the incoming class suggests a team that’s aggressively trying to raise its ceiling under Fran Brown.
As for Smith, he’ll suit up for an Ole Miss program that’s trending up in a big way. And for Syracuse, the focus now shifts to developing the talent they do have - and making sure the next wave of transfers sticks around long enough to make an impact.
Quick Note: As of now, the Syracuse women’s basketball game against North Carolina is still on for Saturday at 2 p.m. ET in Chapel Hill, despite the winter storm threatening the East Coast. Keep an eye on updates, but for now, tip-off is a go.